Mine came on Aug. 17, in Fort Drum. It was delivered by one of the finest young men I’ve ever met — Lt. Joe DeNenno of the U.S. Army’s 10th Mountain Division.

DeNenno of western Pennsylvania was the lead liaison between the men and women at Fort Drum and the Orange players and staff. Although he did not have what one would describe as a privileged upbringing, he felt he could no longer enjoy the privileges afforded by this country unless he responded after the Sept. 11 terrorists attacks.

He enlisted but was told he needed surgery to correct a structural flaw in his chest cavity. Done. He then went through a year of evaluation and training before he was accepted. Done.

He has faced combat and endured the loss of comrades. He is humble, yet proud.

“Everyone here fully understands sacrifice,’’ he said.

After dinner, DeNenno was one of several Fort Drum soldiers who met with the Syracuse players, who will be tested big time on Sept. 8 when they meet No. 1 USC at MetLife Stadium. Syracuse opens Saturday against Northwestern (noon; ESPN2).

“I was very impressed with the questions they asked, the way they presented themselves, how insightful they were,’’ said DeNenno. “The risks and rewards are different, but the underlying beliefs of being responsible to the people on your team are similar.’’

When I asked DeNenno to explain, in a nutshell, what the 10th Mountain Division, 3rd Light — or Spartan — Brigade does, he answered with neither bravado nor shame.

“We deploy, engage and destroy the enemies of the United States of America,’’ he said.

When I met DeNenno, who has had to leave his fiancèe to engage the Taliban on their turf, he got my mind right — and the minds of others, too.

“It was breathtaking, that’s the word I would use, breathtaking to be here, to meet these soldiers, to learn what their definition of sacrifice and commitment is,’’ Orange offensive tackle Zack Chibane of Paramus, N.J., told The Post. “This is the best of what this country can be. These are real role models.’’

Yes, they are.

The college football season begins tonight. Players will get injured but, pray God, none will suffer a fatal injury. Broadcasters will laud the players’ sacrifices and hard work — earned with sweat, not blood. Reporters might write about the war in the trenches.

Let’s not forget America’s real team. It is not Notre Dame. It is the men and women of our armed forces.